Sequentially energized electric sign apparatus



SEQUENTIALLY ENERGIZED ELECTRIC SIGN APPARATUS Filed July 6, 1965 Nov. 28, 1967 c. H. CLEMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet l CLYDE H. CLEMENT INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS SEQUBNTIALLY ENERGIZED ELECTRIC SIGN APPARATUS Filed July 6, 1965 Nov. 28, 1967 c. H. CLEMENT 2 Sheets -Sheefc 2 CLYDE H; CLEMENT I NVENTOR.

United States Patent (3 ce 3,355,627 SEQUENTIALLY ENERGIZED ELECTRIC SIGN APPARATUS Clyde H. Clement, Phoenix, Aria, assignor of one-half to Lester E. Kron, Phoenix, Ariz. Filed July 6, 1965, Ser. No. 469,463 1 Claim. (Cl. 315323) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A sequentially energized electric sign apparatus including a support tube, a plurality of electric light bulbs spaced along the support tube, and transparent openended cylinders covering the light bulbs. A motor-driven, cam-actuated sequencer energizes and de-energizes the light bulbs providing an attention-arresting efiect.

My invention relates to an electric attention arresting sign, and more particularly to a sequentially energized electric sign apparatus.

Electrically energized, illuminated attention arresting signs are widely employed by shops, theaters, restaurants, filling stations, and other places of business to attract the attention of passers-by to the product or services made available by the business organization. Flashing electric lights supported by a pole or other support means are commonly employed as attention arresters.

One significant problem encountered with the use of such flashing electric lights is the relative inflexibility in choice of colors or combinations of colors for the individual electric lights or bulbs. When the bulbs are colored as desired, the visibility of the sign is most generally impaired since the coloring matter tends to cut down on the amount of light actually transmitted from the bulb. Another major problem exists in the fabrication and maintenance of signs of this type. Usually, a pipe or tube is employed having a plurality of threaded holes in its outer surface. Light sockets or other fixtures usually are threadedly secured in the holes. Electrical connection between the sockets and the source of electric power is made by wires running in the interior of the pipe or tube. Access to the wires or the portions of the sockets or light fixtures inside the tube is diflicult and virtually impossilbe. Wires from the light sockets must be snaked down the tubes and in effect, the operation is substantially blind. Furthermore, the tubes must be of sufficient thickness to threadedly support the light sockets without any interior bracing or the like since it is virtually impossible to reach the portion of the socket extending in side the tube assembly.

It is therefore a principal object of my invention to provide a sequentially energized electric sign apparatus in which substantially any desired color combination may be employed without significant decrease in light transmission and concomitant visibility.

It is another object of my invention to provide a sequentially energized electric sign apparatus in which fabrication and maintenance are simple and relatively inexpensive. Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent in the course of the following specification and claims when taken in view of the accompanying drawings.

Briefly, my invention comprises a support tube in at least two mating sections. Electric sockets or fixtures are 3,355,612? Patented. Nov. 28, 1967 secured through holes in the support tube. Wires from the electric sockets or fixtures extend down the inside of the tube to a sequencing apparatus. Electric bulbs or other electrically energized illumination means are operably held by the light sockets or fixtures. Non-opaque hoods which may be either colored or clear are secured over the light bulbs or other electrically energized illumination means so that light of the desired color is transmitted as desired.

Each portion of the support tube is designed to slidingly engage its associated portion or portions to provide a substantially unitary support tube assembly. In this manner, ready access is had to the interior of the support tube for initial fabrication or subsequent maintenance.

A better understanding of my invention may be obtained in light of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a typical installation of an apparatus in accordance with my invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along 2- of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a schematic isometric view illustrating certain details of the assembly of my apparatus;

FIGURE 4 is a pictorial isometric view with portions removed and partially in section for clarity illustrating the preferred sequencing apparatus for use in accordance with my invention; and

FIGURE 5 is a sectional side view taken along 5--5 of FIGURE 4.

With reference to the drawings, a support tube generally designated by the reference character 10 is formed of two elongated extrusions 11 and 12, each having a semi-circular cross section. Each of the extrusions 11 and 12 has a male locking member 14 and a female locking member 15 adapted to slidingly and matingly engage, thereby to form the circular cross section support tube 10. While a circular cross section support tube is preferred for simplicity in fabrication and cleaning, any other desired cross sectional configuration may be employed. In assembly, the support tube illustrated in FIG- URES 1-3 which I have actually used is about fifteen to about twenty feet in length, depending on the particular location and setting in which it is to be used.

In the embodiment illustrated, a plurality of light sockets 16 having an externally threaded butt portion 18 engage through apertures in one of the semi-circular extrusions 12. A nut 19 and washer 20 engage over the butt portion 18 to secure the light socket 16 in assembly with the extrusion 12. Filleting material .22 is disposed around the aperture inside the extrusion to improve the seating of the nut and washer 19 and 20. A block 23 having an arcuate portion corresponding to the arc formed bythe extrusion 12 is held in engagement with the extrusion 12 by the butt portion 18 of the light socket 16 engaging through a bore therein. When viewed along the axis of its bore, the block 23 has a substantially circular cross section and has a reduced diameter portion 24 at its outward end. A non-opaque hood 26 in the form of an openended cylinder engages over and is secured to the reduced diameter portion 24 of the block 23. Securing of the hood 26 may be accomplished as by bolts or screws 27 thread edly engaging the block 23 through the hood 26. The hood 26 may be of any desired color or may be clear as desired. I prefer to use colored, non-opaque plastic for hoods 26 in accordance with my invention. The hoods impart the desired color to light emanating from the 3 light bulb 28 without significant reduction in intensity thereof. Further, the hoods serve to protect the light bulbs from destruction by the elements, vandals, or the like.

To produce the sequentially energized illuminated display apparatus illustrated in FIGURES 13, an extrusion 12, preferably of aluminum or other light-weight, substantially rigid material, is prepared by providing a plurality of holes or apertures aligned along a portion of its longitudinal dimension. Filleting material 22 is disposed around the apertures on the concave side of the extrusion 12. A block 23 is positioned with its concave arcuate portion in contact with the extrusion 12 and with its bore in registry with the aperture defined in the extrusion 12. The externally threaded butt portion 18 of a light socket 16 is extended through the block 23 and the extrusion 12. A washer is slipped over the externallythreaded butt portion 18 and a nut 19 threadedly engages over the butt portion 1-8 to secure the light socket 16, the block 23 and the extrusion 12 in assembly. A hood 26 is secured to the block 23 as hereinbefore described. This is repeated until the desired number of light sockets and hoods are in assembly with the extrusion 12. Wires 29 which provide electrical communication between light sockets and a source of electric power, extend down the concave portion of the extrusion toward one end thereof.

Lightbu'lbs 28 may be screwed into the light sockets 16 at any desired time.

When the desired number of light sockets and their hoods have been secured to extrusion 12, extrusion 11 is brought into sliding, mating engagement with the extrusion 12. The extrusions 11 and 12 are slid in opposite directions until they substantially match to form a unitary elongated cylindrical support tube '10. If desired, a cap member 30 may be secured over one end of the support tube to prevent or retard entry of water, .dust, or the like,

to the interior of the support tube 10. Wires 29 from the light sockets 16 extend down the interior of the support tube and communicate with a sequencer generally designated by the reference character 31 which in turn communicates by a wire 32 with a source of electric power.

In use, the support tube 10 with its light socket and hood assemblies and sequencer is suspended from an appropriate standard such as a pole 34. The support tube could be suspended from -a wall, overhead support means, or the like, as desired. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 1, a substantially vertical support pole 34 has a screw eye 35 secured near its top and a band 36 engaging around said suport pole near its bottom end. The support pole 34 is securely mounted in the earth to provide substantially rigid support for the entire apparatus. A lug 38 secured to the support tube 10 is joined to the band 36 as 'by a rivet or the like and a screw eye 39 is secured to the support tube 10 near the end removed from slug 38.'Support means '40 which may be acable, rod,

rope, or :the like extends between the screw eyes '35 and '39 and provides a second point of support for the support tube .10.

With particular reference now to FIGURES 4 and 5, sequencer 31 generally comprises support brackets 42 having mounted thereon an electric motor 43 and a plurality of electrical contact points 44. Electrical communication between each of the light bulbs 28 and a source of electric power is through the contact points 44. Each contact p int 44 is adaptedto electrically contact a movable contact point 46 mounted on a-flexible, resilient arm 47 which is adapted to carry electrical current. Each of the arms 47 is adapted to communicate by means of an electrical contact eye 48 with a predetermined number of electric lights. In the embodiment illustrated, there are five arms 47 and 'fifteen'hooded electric lights. To operate the apparatus so that three lights at a time are energized,

' the lead wires '29 from three of the light sockets are brought into electrical contact with one of the electric contact eyes 48. Thus, when the corresponding contact members 44 and 46 are closed, the light will be energized.

A cam rod 50 is positioned beneath the contact arms 47 and rotates with gear 51 secured to one end thereof. Gear 51 is driven by a smaller gear 52 secured to the output shaft of the electric motor 43. The cam rod 50 engages the contact arms 47 and maintains the contact points 44 and 46 in spaced relationship and out of electrical contact. A plurality of flat areas 54 disposed around the circumference of cam rod 56 permit the contact arms 47 to lower and raise in a predetermined squence when the cam rod 50 rotates. Lowering of the contact arms 47 permits electrical contact between the contact points 44 and 46, thus energizing the electric lights in communication therewith. In the embodiment illustrated, each contact arm 47 has a corresponding flat portion 54 on the cam rod .50, but more than one fiat portion may be employed corresponding to each contact arm for a multiple sequence effect. Electrical communication between the contact points 44 and a source of electric power is maintained through a contact eye 55 and appropriate wiring.

Support brackets 42 are secured to .a base plate 56 as by screws, bolts, or the like. Base plate 56 has a pair of threaded studs 58 extending upwardly therefrom. A cover member 59 in the form of a substantially rectangular box having an open bottom engages the base plate 56 which forms a closure therefor. Studs 58 .extend through appro priate apertures in the cover member 59 and threadedly engage wing nuts 60 which secure the base plate 56 and cover member 59 in assembly.

Ring clamps 62 secure the sequencer 31 to the support tube 10. Alternatively, the sequencer 31 may be simply secured to one of the extrusions 12 either before or after assembly of the support tube 10 by the sliding mating of the extrusions 11 and 12.

The lock members 14 and 15 may be of any desired configurations, but should provide a substantially Water and dust proof locking seal. In the embodiments illustrated, it is readil seen that water .is substantially prevented from entering the interior of the support tube 10 when the extrusions are in mating engagement.

Various modifications may be made in my invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof, and .it is to .be understood that Ilimit myself only as defined in .the appended claim.

I claim:

A sequentially energized electric sign apparatus comprising .(a.) a support tube comprising a pair of elongated extrusions having semi-circular cross sections, said extrusions having male and female locking members longitudinally disposed thereon, said maleand female locking members being slidingly secured in locking engagement to form said support tube;

(b) a ,plurality of apertures disposed along one of said mating sections;

(,0) a plurality of blocks, each of said blocks defining a bore and having .a concave surface to fit said support tube, said bores in said blocks in registry with said apertures in said support tube, each said block having asubstantially circular cross section when viewed along the axis of its bore, .each said block having a reduced diameter portion at its outward end;

(d) .a lurality of electric light bulb sockets,.each said socket having a threaded butt portion extending through the bore in a block and an aperture in said support tube;

(e) securing means threadedly engaging said butt portion of said socket members to secure said blocks and socket members to said support tube;

(f) a plurality of nonbpaque hood members in the form of open-ended cylinders engaging over and secured to the reduced diameter portion of said blocks;

(g) a sequencer secured to said support tube, said sequencer comprising motor-driven, cam-actuated, circuit opening and closing means; and

(h) electric wires communicating between said sequencer and said electric socket members and between a source of electric power and said sequencer, Whereby light bulbs held by electric socket members are energized and de-energized in accordance with a predetermined sequence.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 545,701 9/1895 Lattig 340-82 Livingston 340-82 McConnell 339-22 Stehlin 340-119 Matson 315319 Kanzenbach 34082 JOHN W. I-IUCKERT, Primary Examiner.

JAMES D. KALLAM, Examiner.

4/1916 Koken 340--82 1 I. SHEWMAKER, Assistant Examiner. 

